Contest offers space camp scholarship

SPRINGFIELD Creating a short video on mankind's next trip into space will enable several local students to explore the far reaches of the universe but from the safety of the nationally renowned U.S. Space and Rocket Center Camp in Huntsville, Ala.
As part of City Thinks, which aims to provide area residents the opportunity to consider a pressing issue of our times through education, discussion, and cultural programs, PeoplesBank sponsored the City Thinks 2010 Student Video Contest. Correspondingly, the theme is "The Final Frontier: Space, Science and Technology." The winners will be publically announced at the Springfield Public Forum presentation on Oct. 24, "The Spirit and Opportunity of Mars" by Steven Squyres, PhD, lead scientist, Mars Exploration Rovers. This presentation is also sponsored by PeoplesBank.
The contest asks students in grades six through 12 to consider the question, "What is the future of space exploration?" Their individual submissions must be a one-to-two-minute video presen-tation on what their recommendation is for mankind's next venture into space. Submissions will be judged on content, knowledge of the topic, organization, idea originality and clarity of speech.
Winners will be chosen among three age groups: sixth to eighth grade, ninth to 10th grade, and 11th to12th grade. The two winners chosen from each category will receive a scholarship, including travel. Five runners-up will also be chosen from each age group and receive a copy of Dr. Steven Squyres book: "Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet."
Students are encouraged to explore the various links and articles on the Springfield Public Forum's Web site www.spring-fieldpublicforum.org to supple-ment their own research.
Videos must be in DVD format and received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. They can be submitted in person to any PeoplesBank office, the Springfield Central Library at 220 State St., or by mail to the Springfield Public Forum, P.O. Box 5374, Springfield, MA 01101.
Official contest rules and entry forms are available for download at bankatpeoples.com/spacecamp. Winners will be notified Oct.15.
PeoplesBank is the largest mutually chartered bank in Western Massachusetts and a leader in green values, sustainable energy financing, and charitable giving. Founded in 1885, the bank takes its responsibility to the environment seriously and has financed more than $35 million in wind, hydroelectric, and solar energy projects in recent years. In addition to its LEED Registered office in Springfield, PeoplesBank will build green offices in Northampton and West Springfield in the near future. PeoplesBank a passion for what is possible. Bankatpeoples.com